eemed to be as bitter as his ponderings;
he was trying to stiffen his resolution to go away from Egypt.

Squire Hexter chatted. It was hard to keep off the Britt affair, but the
notary tactfully kept away from the sore center of it.

"It has been going on a long time--the trouble between 'em, son. For two
men who look alike outside, they're about as different inside as any two
I've ever known. Tasper has been all for grab! He grabbed away Usial's
share of the home place and then he grabbed Mehitable Dole while she
was keeping company with Usial. I suppose Hittie reckoned there was no
choice in outside looks, but saw considerable inducement in the home
place. Plenty of other women for Usial! Yes! But I can't help thinking
that I might be keeping bach hall in my law office if I hadn't got hold
of Xoa in my young days. So there's Usial! Right in his rut because he's
the kind that stays in a rut. Pegs shoes days and reads books nights. No
telling how the legislature may develop him. Glad he's going."

The Squire rapped out his pipe ashes against an andiron. His posture
gave him an opportunity to say what he said next without meeting
Vaniman's gaze. "Vona Harnden was a mighty smart girl when she was
teaching school. I was superintendent and had a chance to know. Does she
take hold well in the bank?"

Vaniman had hard work to make his affirmative sound casual.

"Have you met Joe, her father, since you've been in town?"

"No, sir."

"Not surprising, and no great loss. Joe is on the jump a lot--geniusing
around the country. Joe's a real genius."

The young man looked straight into the fire and returned no comment. He
knew well the dry quality of Hexter's satirical humor and perceived that
the notary was indulging in that humor.

"Yes, Joe Harnden is quite an operator, son. Jumps, as I have said. A
good optimist. Jumps up so high every day that he can see over all the
bothersome hills into the Promised Land of Plenty. Only trouble is that
Joe's jumping apparatus is so geared that he only jumps straight up and
lands back in the same place. Now, if only he could jump ahead."

Xoa had come in from the kitchen and was setting out a small table on
which the pachisi board was ready for the evening's regular recreation.
She broke in with protest. "Amos, you shouldn't make fun of the
neighbors!"

"I'm complimenting Joe Harnden," the Squire went on, with serenity. "I'm
saying that when he uses that inventive genius of his on